So, I went to see the reception year teacher at my DD's school. And the first thing she was me was 'is there a problem'. I asked for the meeting and felt that's a bit of a strange start. Does there need to be a problem in order to want to meet the teacher? Anyway, she says, we noticed a change behaviour in your DD last week, on friday something happened between her and another child, your DD tried to explain what was happening and in the end said, my mum said the other girl was a slug and that the other child was upset. We think your child has a vivid imagination and so at times when she doesn't know what to say, she blames things on someone else. Aside from that the teacher said, oh your DD chats a lot, she needs to focus on what she is doing more but she's a bright child and she is keeping up with the pace of education at the school so far. But your academic questions can be reserved till the parent-teacher meeting.
I had more specific questions for the teacher, can you explain how you are teaching number bonds (counting on, mental math etc.) and that it would help me reinforce things over the weekend when I do spend time with her. The teacher was rather dismissive and said, get your DD to explain what she did at school (well if my DD did that properly then I wouldn't have to come ask you, would I??!!!!) Anyway, I walked away feeling very dejected.
I was very disappointed with the teachers attitude, to me it almost came across like a lack of caring - I do happen to pay £5.5K a term for what is supposedly the top school in the country, the least I expect is a bit more than 10 mins of time (that too outside of the parent-teacher meeting) and some more tips on what I need to do with my DD to help her manage any playground fights or disagreements a bit better.
I came home and asked my DD, she said - she had a lot of difficulty explaining what happened that day, but as it transpires the other kid wouldn't agree to taking turns in being 'captain' in some game. I spent a lot of my time explaining to my DD that calling someone a slug because they wouldn't take turns or blaming it on mummy was not the right approach and that she needed to apologise. But I feel like I should be doing more to reinforce how to express one's feelings properly in words (without causing any upset).
Aside from my that, I was rather annoyed about the ' DD is keeping pace' comment as my DD spends a lot of time daily in reading, writing and doing maths. So, if anything - she'd be more than keeping pace. Is my DD getting bored at school because she's already done a lot of the work they are covering again and is therefore not paying attention?
Can I get some views on how to help with managing emotions for my DD. What do I also do in order to help in managing being bored due to repetition of work and also being able to sit/focus and talk less.
Separately, am I being over dramatic by being disappointed with the teacher's attitude. Anyway, I always felt that this teacher is very distant (you'd think that reception year teachers would be a bit more caring?). Should I be asking for a meeting with the pre-prep head and expressing my views or is that taking it too far?
Thanks in advance and sorry for the LONG post.